Brit Award Eligibility Rules Have Changed Thanks To Rina Sawayama
British-Japanese singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama has changed the eligibility rules for the Brit Awards to be more inclusive for multi-cultural peoples.
Rina Sawayama released her debut studio album Sawayama in April 2020 and received widespread critical acclaim for the masterpiece. Critics were predicting nominations left and right for the star, specifically the Mercury Prize at the Brit Awards, but instead, she was not nominated at all. She was told she was not “British enough,” a comment that sparked outrage from fans.
rina sawayama single handedly paving the way for british pocs everyone take notes
— bel🦇 (@toothf4ry) February 25, 2021
Rina Sawayama was born in Japan on August 16, 1990, but has lived in the United Kingdom since she was four-years-old, totaling twenty-six years living in the UK. In addition, Rina has a pronounced British accent and is signed to a UK label but despite these facts, her album Sawayama was deemed ineligible for awards. While Rina was upset, she vowed to fight to change the rules.
Elton John, one of Rina’s longtime supporters, was thrilled to hear the news. Elton named Sawayama as his favorite album of 2020. He thanked BPI Music and the BRITs for changing the rules so that this never has to happen to another multi-cultural artist. Rina thanked Elton for his love and support, tweeting out to him a simple thank you and heart emojis.
Fantastic news from @bpi_music that they have revised the rules on who is eligible for the @BRITs and @MercuryPrize. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/sLdPEEsyyd
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) February 25, 2021
Rina took to Twitter to share this news that has sent the star over the moon. She writes in all caps, “REDEFINGING BRITISHNESS!” She thanked fans who rallied behind her with the hashtag #SAWAYAMAISBRITISH, as they too helped spark meaningful conversations about redefining Britishness. Rina shared that the BPI has broadened its rules, as artists like Rina are eligible for the Mercury Prize if they have lived in the UK for five years or more.
REDEFINING BRITISHNESS !!!! shoutout @bpi_music !!!! #SAWAYAMAISBRITISH !! pic.twitter.com/WF3LrVME8J
— RINA SAWAYAMA (@rinasawayama) February 24, 2021
This is a huge victory for multi-cultural artists. Rina Sawayama has paved the way for artists like her to gain the recognition they deeply deserve. Sawayama is available on all streaming platforms.
Writer | Tweet me @court__giles
